Interview: Stephen Brower of [PALATABLE] GAY ROBOT at The Parkway Theater

Broadway actor and comedian Stephen Brower brings his wildly inventive one-person show [Palatable] Gay Robot to The Parkway—a smart, absurd, and unexpectedly heartfelt exploration of identity, performance, and what it means to be “palatable.”

Produced by Alan Kliffer of Klif Entertainment, directed by Zachary Prince, and featuring the voice of Julia Murney, [Palatable] Gay Robot promises a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience—equal parts hilarious, chaotic, and unexpectedly profound.

Catch it at The Parkway and meet Billie Bowtie—the robot who might just make you feel a little more human.

We caught up with Stephen to talk robots, comedy, and the very human questions underneath it all.

What was the original spark behind [Palatable] Gay Robot—where did Billie Bowtie come from?

Revenge! In 2022 I was fired from a big Broadway show. I’ve been a performer all my life - on stage, online, and beyond. So when I found myself with too much time and not enough control, I decided to write a show about a gay robot. Why a gay robot? I wasn’t entirely sure. But I loved the concept. Once my director, Zachary Prince, and I started building the world in which this gay robot would exist, it became much deeper. What parts of ourselves are we willing to commodify? Do we lose ourselves in doing so? What makes us truly human in this age of AI slop and constant screen time? It may sound heavy - I promise it’s not. But beneath its frothy premise, there are some surprisingly meaningful questions. And don’t worry, that Broadway show ended up flopping.

Why a robot? What does Billie allow you to explore that a human character wouldn’t?

I have an allergy to over-earnestness. Don’t get me wrong, I love a tear-jerker. But when I see a show (especially a solo show), I want to be sure I’m not walking into a therapy session. Billie’s journey mirrors mine - just funnier and faster paced. By separating myself from the story and looking at it through the innocent eyes of a freshly programmed robot, it ironically allowed me to be more truthful. 

The idea of being “palatable” feels especially relevant right now—what does that word mean to you personally?

I grew up in the 90s in a conservative part of the country, raised by generally accepting parents. To them, my sexuality didn’t mean eternal damnation, but it certainly meant something. Today (and I’m generalizing here), queerness is much more widely embraced. For the generation before mine, it was much more taboo. I land in the middle, where it’s okay to be gay…just not too gay. The word “palatable” inherently takes into account the subjectivity of the audience, whether that’s parents, people online, gatekeepers in your industry, or the literal audience I perform for. Billie struggles to express himself in a “socially acceptable” way. I (and a lot of people, I suspect) also struggle with that. 

What do you hope audiences walk away thinking—or feeling—after seeing [Palatable] Gay Robot?

First and foremost, I hope their cheeks hurt from laughing. But a few days after the show, I hope an audience member will stop in their kitchen or on their way to school, and wonder, “Am I doing this for someone else? Am I performing some version of myself I was taught would be more likable?” The show is ultimately about sentience. So I hope people walk away from [Palatable] Gay Robot understanding themselves a little more deeply.

Have you been to Minneapolis before? Any places you're hoping to check out while here?

I’ve been to St. Paul, but I’ve always thought Minneapolis was the hotter twin. I’m excited for the food. I’ve heard it's fantastic (recommendation encouraged via insta: @stephenbrower). And I have to visit the Mall of America. Color me basic. I’m a consumer!

Thank you Stephen for your time! We look forward to having you here! 

For more ticket and show information, please click the ticket link button below.

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